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Persistent sympathetic nervous system arousal associated with tethering in cynomolgus macaques
M R Adams1, J R Kaplan, S B Manuck
1Department of Comparative Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Laboratory Animal Science
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Swivel-tether restraint in nonhuman primates elevates heart rate due to sympathetic nervous system stimulation. Researchers must consider these physiological effects when designing studies and interpreting data.
Area of Science:
- Primate research
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Animal welfare
Background:
- The swivel-tether system is widely used in nonhuman primate research.
- Potential adverse effects of this restraint on research outcomes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological impact of the swivel-tether system on cynomolgus monkey heart rate.
- To determine if tethering-induced heart rate changes are mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Main Methods:
- Continuous electrocardiographic telemetry monitored heart rate in 26 cynomolgus monkeys.
- Monkeys were assessed under various conditions: pair-caged, singly-caged and tethered, tethered with propranolol, and group-housed at different time points.
Main Results:
- Tethering led to persistent elevations in heart rate compared to non-tethered conditions.
- Propranolol administration caused a significant decrease in heart rate, confirming sympathetic nervous system involvement.
- The observed heart rate increase during tethering is attributed to sympathetic nervous system activation.
Conclusions:
- The swivel-tether system induces physiological stress, evidenced by increased heart rate.
- Sympathetic nervous system activation by tethering may impact cardiovascular function and other physiological systems.
- Researchers using this system should account for these stress-related effects in experimental design and data interpretation.